BLE Antenna Power Management for Phone-as-a-Key Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Phone-as-a-Key (PAAK) systems face high power consumption issues due to multiple antennas running at full power for communication, leading to rapid battery depletion in vehicles and mobile devices, especially when the user is near the vehicle but does not intend to access it.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with a main BLE module and multiple BLE antenna modules (BLEAMs) that determines when a mobile device acting as a vehicle key is within a threshold range for a threshold time period, reducing power consumption by switching off or putting BLEAMs into a reduced power mode when the user is not intending to access the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple BLE antenna modules are kept running at full power for communication, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management for BLE antenna modules by adjusting their operational state based on detected user proximity. When a mobile device is detected within threshold range for a threshold time period, the system activates the necessary BLEAMs for communication. When the mobile device moves away or is not present, the system reduces power consumption by switching off or putting BLEAMs into reduced power mode, thus adapting the system's power state to actual communication needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic scanning and detection of mobile device proximity to determine when to activate or deactivate BLE antenna modules. The processor continuously monitors for the presence of mobile devices within threshold range and adjusts BLEAM power states accordingly, creating a periodic on-demand activation pattern that balances communication reliability with power conservation.
2Ease of operation
If BLE antenna modules are activated continuously, then user access convenience is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of mobile device proximity before activating full communication functionality. The processor monitors for mobile devices within threshold range and maintains a ready state, activating BLEAMs only when needed. This preliminary monitoring approach ensures that when users do need to access the vehicle, the system is prepared to respond immediately, while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during periods when no access is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of BLE antenna modules based on detected conditions. When mobile devices are detected within threshold range for a threshold time period, the system transitions BLEAMs from a low-power state to an active communication state. When devices move away, parameters are adjusted to reduce power consumption, thereby extending battery life while maintaining user access convenience when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing power consumption in a PAAK vehicle system. An example vehicle includes a main BLE module for communication with a mobile device acting as a vehicle key, a plurality of BLE antenna modules (BLEAMs), and a processor. The processor is configured for determining that the mobile device is within a threshold range of the vehicle for a threshold time period, and responsively reducing power consumption of one or more of the plurality of BLEAMs.